Boils and carbuncles are painful, pus-filled bumps caused by bacterial infection of hair follicles. Boils usually start as red lumps, while carbuncles are clusters of connected boils. They can occur in anyone but are more common in teenagers and young adults, as well as those with eczema, obesity, or a weak immune system. Symptoms include redness, swelling, tenderness, and formation of pus. Warm compresses and cleaning with antiseptic can help drainage and healing. Seeking medical care is advised if boils do not heal within a week or become very painful.

1. BOILS AND CARBUNCLES!
By
Aashmita Uppal
Bpt 3rd year
18601006

2. What are Boils and
Carbuncles?
 Boils and Carbuncles are painful, pus-filled bumps that form under
your skin when bacteria infect and inflame one or more of your hair
follicles.
 Boils usually start as red tender lumps.
 A Carbuncle is a cluster of boils that form a connected area of
infection under the skin.

3. Who can get boils and
carbuncles?
 A boil or carbuncle can occur in anyone.
 They are uncommon in children and the
majority of people who get them are
teenagers and young adults.
 However, you have a higher risk of
developing a boil or carbuncle if you have
eczema, scabies, if you are obese, have a
poor immune system, an illness making you
frail or unwell, or if you are a carrier of
staphylococcal bacteria.

4. As you can see on the right is a carbuncle
(cluster of boils that are puss-filled, and on
the left is a boil alone.
Boil Carbuncle

5. Mode of spread
 Bacteria enters the skin through the cuts and
grazes
 Colonization begins in the hair follicles and
cause local cellulitis and inflammation .
 Immune system responds by sending
infection fightingWBC’s to kill the bacteria .
 Over the time a mixture of dead cells and
dead bacteria builds up inside the boil and it
gets bigger and bigger as well as more painful

6. Mode of spread
 Most boils eventually burst and the pus drains
away and may leave a scar .
 This process takes 2-3 weeks to complete

7. Where can you find boils and
carbuncles??
 Carbuncles are normally found around the neck
and shoulder region.
 Boils can be found on the face, scalp, neck,
armpits, lower back, thigh, groin, or buttocks.
Boils on the neck and buttocks

8. What are the signs and symptoms
of boils and carbuncles??
 Symptoms for boils and carbuncles include:
 Redness
 Swelling (lump)
 Tenderness to touch or severe pain
 A lump filled with white or yellowish pus
forming a head or tip.
 The symptoms of a carbuncle are the same
but more severe than a boil.

9. You should contact your physician
if :
-A boil does not drain and heal with
treatment at home.
-If the boil lasts for longer than 1
week.
-If the boil becomes very painful.
When to contact your physician…

10. Treatment …
 Put warm, moist compresses on the boil or
carbuncle for 1o to 15 minutes for at least 3
times a day.
 Clean the sore with antiseptic soap and
protect it with a loose gauze.
 For pain relief you can take tylenol, or
ibuprophen.
 By doing these steps it will help reduce the
risk of spreading infection.

11. Risk factors
 Obesity , diabetes , age , chronic skin
condition , kidney disease etc
 It can occur in young and fit people as well
such as students who share towels , clothes ,
bed linen etc in hostels .

12. Complications
 Scarring
 Cellulitis
 Sepsis